Call for Enhanced Support for Domestic Abuse Victims Amid Housing Crisis
MPs urge stronger statutory duties for councils to provide appropriate housing for victims of domestic violence.
Victims of domestic abuse are increasingly reluctant to leave perilous situations due to inadequate access to suitable housing options, according to statements made in the British Parliament.
Liberal Democrat MP Zoe Franklin advocated for a strengthened statutory duty on local authorities to ensure that victims are provided with like-for-like housing solutions, citing significant barriers that currently hinder individuals from fleeing abusive environments.
During a recent session addressing housing and local government issues, Franklin highlighted the urgent need for safe and stable accommodation for victims of domestic violence.
She emphasized that the absence of an obligation for councils to provide equivalent housing often results in recommendations for private rentals, which can be unaffordable or inappropriate for those with lower incomes.
This situation may compel victims to remain in unsafe situations.
Franklin's remarks were reinforced by Labour MP Lee Barron, who recounted the plight of a constituent forced to make an untenable choice between her children and securing a safe home after being issued a section 21 notice by her landlord.
Barron questioned how the government ensures that councils prioritize housing for domestic abuse victims adequately.
Communities Minister Rushanara Ali responded to these concerns by acknowledging the broader context of a housing shortage and ongoing challenges related to supported housing.
Ali referred to a recent £30 million increase in funding aimed at addressing issues of domestic violence, bringing the total budget to £160 million.
She committed to working across government departments to confront the root causes of violence against women, including the essential need for housing support.
Ali reassured members that local authorities are guided to prioritize social housing allocations for domestic abuse victims, especially those experiencing homelessness.
She noted steps taken to exempt these individuals from local connection tests, facilitating access to social housing.
In a separate discussion, concerns were raised regarding the performance of emergency departments in Scotland.
Recent figures indicate that only 67.4% of patients attending Accident & Emergency (A&E) departments were seen within the four-hour target during a week ending March 30, a slight decrease from the previous week.
The data also revealed that over 1,000 patients faced waits exceeding 12 hours, highlighting ongoing pressures within the health system.
Scottish Labour attributed these challenges to what they described as a failure of the Scottish National Party (SNP) in managing the NHS.
They reported that patient flow issues and high occupancy rates continued to impact A&E department performance, despite efforts by Health Secretary Neil Gray to implement improvements and increase capacity.
Turning to the issue of disability benefits, experts warned that a significant reform initiative could render hundreds of thousands of seriously ill and disabled individuals 'invisible.' A £5 billion programme of cuts to disability benefits was predicted to strip away crucial access points to support services, affecting not only personal independence payments but also local council and NHS assistance.
As per estimates, over 230,000 individuals may lose their claims, potentially leading to dire financial implications and greater vulnerability within local care systems.
The government has characterized these changes as necessary for rectifying perceived deficiencies within the benefits system.
However, critics, including members of Parliament, have raised concerns about the potential health impacts and the adequacy of the consultation process surrounding these reforms.
Liberal Democrat MP Zoe Franklin advocated for a strengthened statutory duty on local authorities to ensure that victims are provided with like-for-like housing solutions, citing significant barriers that currently hinder individuals from fleeing abusive environments.
During a recent session addressing housing and local government issues, Franklin highlighted the urgent need for safe and stable accommodation for victims of domestic violence.
She emphasized that the absence of an obligation for councils to provide equivalent housing often results in recommendations for private rentals, which can be unaffordable or inappropriate for those with lower incomes.
This situation may compel victims to remain in unsafe situations.
Franklin's remarks were reinforced by Labour MP Lee Barron, who recounted the plight of a constituent forced to make an untenable choice between her children and securing a safe home after being issued a section 21 notice by her landlord.
Barron questioned how the government ensures that councils prioritize housing for domestic abuse victims adequately.
Communities Minister Rushanara Ali responded to these concerns by acknowledging the broader context of a housing shortage and ongoing challenges related to supported housing.
Ali referred to a recent £30 million increase in funding aimed at addressing issues of domestic violence, bringing the total budget to £160 million.
She committed to working across government departments to confront the root causes of violence against women, including the essential need for housing support.
Ali reassured members that local authorities are guided to prioritize social housing allocations for domestic abuse victims, especially those experiencing homelessness.
She noted steps taken to exempt these individuals from local connection tests, facilitating access to social housing.
In a separate discussion, concerns were raised regarding the performance of emergency departments in Scotland.
Recent figures indicate that only 67.4% of patients attending Accident & Emergency (A&E) departments were seen within the four-hour target during a week ending March 30, a slight decrease from the previous week.
The data also revealed that over 1,000 patients faced waits exceeding 12 hours, highlighting ongoing pressures within the health system.
Scottish Labour attributed these challenges to what they described as a failure of the Scottish National Party (SNP) in managing the NHS.
They reported that patient flow issues and high occupancy rates continued to impact A&E department performance, despite efforts by Health Secretary Neil Gray to implement improvements and increase capacity.
Turning to the issue of disability benefits, experts warned that a significant reform initiative could render hundreds of thousands of seriously ill and disabled individuals 'invisible.' A £5 billion programme of cuts to disability benefits was predicted to strip away crucial access points to support services, affecting not only personal independence payments but also local council and NHS assistance.
As per estimates, over 230,000 individuals may lose their claims, potentially leading to dire financial implications and greater vulnerability within local care systems.
The government has characterized these changes as necessary for rectifying perceived deficiencies within the benefits system.
However, critics, including members of Parliament, have raised concerns about the potential health impacts and the adequacy of the consultation process surrounding these reforms.
